WATCH: New England's Jabrill Peppers Apologizes After Slandering Patriots to Saquon Barkley After Loss to New York Giants
The New England Patriots have endured a challenging season, sitting at 2-9 and already matching last year's loss total ... with six games still to play.
New England's worst campaign under coach Bill Belichick came in 2000, as it ended with a 5-11 record in his first year at the helm - but there's a strong likelihood this iteration of the Patriots sets a new low, and they know it. The Pats, who are home underdogs to the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, haven't been 2-10 since 1993.
Following last Sunday's 10-7 loss to the New York Giants (4-8), Patriots defensive back Jabrill Peppers was caught telling Giants running back Saquon Barkley a self-deprecating message.
"You lucky we ass," Peppers said.
Peppers on Friday apologized to the team for having to answer questions about the video, saying it "wasn't right" for the NFL to release what was intended to be a private exchange between two players.
Admitted Peppers, "We've got more important things to worry about."
Peppers is in his second season in New England after spending three years with the Giants. He's started all 11 games for a Patriots defense that currently ranks No. 8 in yards allowed at 316.8 per game but only No. 21 in scoring with 22.5 points allowed per game.
Jabrill Peppers gives a biting critique of his Patriots to Saquon Barkley after last week's loss to the Giants.
The 28-year-old Peppers is New England's fourth-leading tackler with 62 total this season, and he's tied for second in tackles for loss with five. He also has six pass deflections and an interception to his name.
The Patriots have lost four straight games and seven of their last eight overall, with offensive struggles being the primary cause. Quarterback Mac Jones has been benched four times, and backup Bailey Zappe has completed only 48.7 percent of his passes in relief this year.
Zappe is expected to get the start against the Chargers, with this New England squad hoping to avoid being Belichick's worst.
But Peppers' words remain what they are - a glaring indictment of just how dismal the season's gone for the Patriots, and little internal optimism that change is close.
Nonetheless, the Patriots will try to get back in the win column when they host the Chargers at 1 p.m. EST Sunday inside Gillette Stadium.
